Rome
Top Rome landmarks

Private Early Bird Vatican Museums Tour

Badge of ExcellenceRome, Italy
Private Early Bird Vatican Tour
Special Offer

From $372.18

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit the Vatican with fewer crowds on a private early-bird tour and enter the Vatican Museums at its first access (8 AM). Enjoy an exclusive exploration of world-renowned art by Renaissance masters, visit the Sistine Chapel, and enter St. Peter’s Basilica directly from the museums, without waiting in the main line.
  • Explore the Vatican Museum early in the morning
  • Visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
  • It includes pickup from centrally located hotels in Rome only if Luxury or comfort option selected

What's Included

  • Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide for A Private Walking Tour
  • Tickets to the Vatican Museums
  • Visit to the Sistine Chapel
  • Shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica
  • LUXURY/COMFORT Options - Meet and greet with the guide at your accommodation (if centrally located)
  • LUXURY/CONFORT Options - Private hotel pick-up service (from centrally located locations)
  • LUXURY OPTION - Private hotel pick-up and drop-off service (from/to centrally located locations)
  • Food and drinks
  • Early Morning BASIC OPTION - Transfers not included

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • Caffè Vaticano
    viale, Viale Vaticano, 100, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

    For the EARLY MORNING BASIC OPTION transfers are NOT INCLUDED. Guests will meet their guide at 8:00 AM directly on-site, at Caffè Vaticano, Viale Vaticano 100 - located on the opposite side of the Museums' entrance. Your guide will be holding a sign with your names.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

07:45 AM

End point

  • Saint Peter's Square
    Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

    For guests who booked the LUXURY OPTION the drop-off service is included.

Pickup details

For the EARLY BIRD LUXURY OPTION pick-up, drop-off, and meet and greet with the guide at the accommodation are included in the tour cost. Guests should be at 7:45 AM down the lobby ready for the transfer. For the EARLY BIRD COMFORT OPTION pick-up and meet and greet with the guide at the accommodation are included in the tour cost. Guests should be at 7:45 AM down the lobby ready for the transfer. For the EARLY MORNING BASIC OPTION transfers are NOT INCLUDED. Guests will meet their guide at 8:00 AM directly on-site, at the designated meeting point. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED BY THE AGENCY FOR ANY MODIFICATION.

What To Expect

As one of the most-visited museums in the world, the Vatican Museums are understandably crowded, so avoid the masses on a private morning tour before the general public arrives. After pickup at your hotel, explore the Vatican Museums with your private guide, who tells you about the history of the artwork and can customize the tour to your interests.

If you wish, upgrade from standard early-morning admission to a “prime tour” option and be treated like a VIP. Arrive earlier to enjoy priority entry without any lines or crowds.

Other treasures inside the museum complex include sculptures, carvings and paintings; your guide makes sure you see the most important masterpieces and interesting rooms and galleries.

Visit the Belvedere Courtyard, Gallery of Tapestries, and Gallery of Maps, and then gain fast-track entry into St. Peter’s Basilica to see more artwork, like Bernini’s baldacchino altar. Your tour ends here or back at your accommodation.

Vatican Museums

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Cortile della Pigna (Pass By)

Sphere within a Sphere (Pass By)

Sistine Chapel

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St. Peter's Basilica

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Dress code: Modest attire required for places of worship and selected museums; no shorts or sleeveless tops allowed, cover knees and shoulders for both men and women to avoid entry refusal.
  • Comfortable footwear recommended for moderate walking during the tour.
  • Allow at least 20 minutes for security checks at monuments/attractions.
  • Timings and reservations subject to availability and administrative decisions; may undergo last-minute changes.
  • Notify us of any mobility issues or disabilities.
  • Museums partially accessible for visitors using wheelchairs; Basilica not included.
  • St. Peter's Basilica excluded on Wednesdays due to the Papal Audience.
  • Possible last-minute closures of St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel for religious ceremonies; no refunds for unplanned disruptions.
  • Children under 18 require a valid passport or ID for age verification on the day of the tour.
  • Review the confirmation message sent one day before the tour for final details.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

5.0
693 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 693 reviews
St Paul’s , the guardens,...
Richard_D, May 2024
St Paul’s , the guardens, the museum and of course the Sistine Chapel The private guided tour was very educational Benjamin was very knowledgeable
Early bird experience vatican was extraordinary. The guide’s knowledge was excellent and she combined this with being fr
Sam_Z, May 2024
The vatican museum, the Sisteen chapel and the St Peter Basilic are breath taking excursions. Our guide was excellent, which made this a life time experience
Splurge on a private tour to avoid being overwhelmed
Amye_K, May 2024
We spent an informative morning at the Vatican with Ornella, the perfect guide for this significant site. We knew we wanted a private experience so the guide could cater the tour to our interests and pace. Ornella was outstanding at every turn, giving us more background on areas that were of interest and not dwelling on those in which we expressed less interest. I highly recommend going to the Vatican as early as you can stand to get up while on vacation. We arrived around 8am and it continued to fill up all morning. The crowds really are overwhelming. Or Ella was able to expertly weave through them to get us to the places of interest. Do beware of pickpockets and panhandlers is the area outside the Vatican. We saw a lot of this activity as we sat outside for lunch and walked away from the area to the Metro.
Amazing Tour Guide and Tour
Judy_G, May 2024
This Vatican Tour was fantastic. We opted for the pick up at our VRBO since we had an early bird tour. Our tour guide, Julia was wonderful. She was so knowledgeable about the history and could answer any question thrown her way. She made the tour fun and informative at the same time. I would definitely suggest this tour. Kudos to Julia!
Not a pleasant experience
Kristen_M, Apr 2024
This review does not reflect the guide. The term Early Bird Tour is a joke. We got in with everyone else. It was so packed you could barely move in the galleries. We paid 1107.00$ for this experience. The same day of the tour it was online for about 3/4 of the price.
A Must for Every Visitor
Tammy_B, Apr 2024
Sharing this experience with friends who were visiting Italy for the first time. Our guide Gianluca was friendly, witty and very knowledgeable. Wonderful day spent in the Vatican City!! A must for first time and returning visitors!!!
The best tour for elderly parents!
Theresa_E, Apr 2024
Lorenzo was the BEST! He helped my 83 year old parents get through crowds with minimal steps and elevators. He was extremely knowledgeable and patient with answering questions. He accommodated our slower pace. Highly recommended!
Excellent
Greg_B, Apr 2024
Giulia’s knowledge was incredible. I have done 3 trips with tour guides in 10 years to the Vatican, this was by far the best. Giulia is brilliant!!
Fantastic
Joseph_K, Apr 2024
This tour was the best tour we have ever taken. Our guide was knowledgeable, very helpful, informed and friendly. We would have her as a guide anytime and anywhere. Go can not go wrong with this tour.
Great Tour, Worth the Price
Cole_P, Apr 2024
Skipping the line helped to save time getting into the Vatican, and it was not very crowded throughout the morning. Emanuela was very knowledgeable and passionate about all of the art and history. She did a great job answering questions and focusing the tour on areas our group was more interested in. Definitely was worth the extra money to get a better experience.
Vatican private tour
Paula_T, Apr 2024
This tour was amazing. Our guide made the tour. Her knowledge of everything was above and beyond what we expected. We 100% recommend this tour!
Very knowledgable and attentive guide and excellent service
Maxim_K, Apr 2024
We were picked up from our hotel by the guide and the driver; the museum entry experience was incredibly pleasant. We saw so many wonderful things followed by stories and explanations by the guide. My mom who was on a wheelchair had no problems following the guide and exploring the museum. Loved the experience and would totally recommend it!
St Peters
Ligeia_P, Apr 2024
Francesca did an exceptional job of explaining the history and context and meaning of the Vatican and the surrounding museums.
Great
Clay_K, Apr 2024
The guide was very knowledgeable. The tour was great but short and expensive. We wanted to see more of St. Peters
Tour With Education
Troy_S, Apr 2024
Marco was an incredible guide with deep knowledge which made our visit memorable and highly education. Recommend completely!
A lovely visit to the Vaticano
Jesse_B, Apr 2024
Valentina was lovely. This was our second tour with her by chance. She knew so much about at history. And she also ushered us through the space so efficiently. It was such Pleasure to visit the Vatican with her!
Always amazing!
Robert_T, Apr 2024
This is the second time we’ve used this exact tour for the Vatican. This time with our kids. It’s always been great and highly recommended. The guides are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.
Great tour
Derrick_S, Apr 2024
Marina our tour guide was excellent. We got so much out of this tour. We saw so much of basilica and chapel and museum. We had more private access with this tour. This tour included private hotel pick up and drop off. Definitely worth the money.
Family friendly, insightful & impactful lux Vatican tour
Robert_T, Mar 2024
Put simply, one of the best private tours we have ever been on in Europe. Our private tour guide Marta was amazing and she created the perfect atmosphere for our family. Before we entered each section of the Vatican - we received a digital slide show via iPad outlining key things to look for (and associated background). The tour was well organized and provided a wealth of insight. We didn’t have to wait in any lines, and as soon as we were done with our incredible our van pulled up at the end of St Peter’s Square to drive us back to our hotel. If you want an informed, lux, professional and impactful tour - look no further. Book now - you will not regret it. Our family is indebted for this incredible experience.
Disappointed
Cherilyn_J, Mar 2024
Our guide was well informed but we were not told before hand that we would have to find our own way back to our hotel. We are 4 women in our 70’s and it was difficult because of the taxi strike. We should have been informed at time of booking as this was a very expensive booking.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Cherily, Grazie mille for sharing your experience with us, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you encountered due to the taxi strike in Rome. The situation with transportation during strikes can indeed be challenging, especially for travelers like yourselves. We regret any misunderstanding regarding the drop-off service. Please note that our tour package does not include a return transfer service. The pricing of the tour reflects the exclusive first-access tickets to the Vatican, which are highly sought-after and challenging to secure. Despite these challenges, we hope you were able to enjoy the tour experience itself with your lovely guide. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. Warm regards, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team
...

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